Each fall, MHEC holds its annual Expo. This day-long event is held for our members, providing them an opportunity to meet our suppliers in person, ask questions, and view demonstrations. EXPO will be held this year on September 21 at the DCU in Worcester, MA. We offer 10’x10′ spaces for exhibitors—plenty of room to accommodate tabletops and pop-ups—but additional spaces are available to extend the length of a booth and make a greater impression.
The evening prior to EXPO, MHEC holds a supplier meeting for exhibitors, updating them on recent initiatives and updates to our contracts. Afterwards, there is a catered reception and opportunity to talk with our strategic sourcing managers. See the link below to register.
KEY RESOURCES
Below are key resources for exhibitors to make the most of their time at EXPO 2023:
- Exhibitor EXPO 2023 FAQ
- List of Exhibitors
- Booth Registration
- Registration for the Supplier Meeting on September 20
- 2023 Exhibitor Service Manual from Capital Convention Contractors
- 2023 Exhibitor Prospectus
- Lodgings: Hilton Garden Inn
- Lodgings: Holiday Inn Express
THEME:
Expo is known for its creative themes that add an element of fun to the event. Being New England’s premier purchasing consortium for educational not-for-profits, this year MHEC wants to celebrate all that is wonderful about Autumn in New England. To us, country fairs and harvest festivals come to mind. Given the abundance our region offers and the diverse backgrounds of our suppliers, we’re hoping exhibitors might share something of what’s special about where they come from.
ATTENDANCE:
Attendees hale from all six New England states and come from numerous sectors, primarily cities and towns, K-12, higher education and libraries. This offers our membership a chance to meet suppliers on our contracts, see demonstrations of supplier offerings, learn about new products, and get the information they need to make buying decisions. Typical attendance of past years: 600 registrations, 400+ on-premise attendees.
BENEFITS TO MEMBERS FOR ATTENDING
- FREE registration
- FREE parking
- FREE catered breakfast & lunch
- meeting 180+ suppliers on MHEC contracts
- gain product knowledge to make better buying decisions
- see demonstrations to gain a practical understanding of value
- networking with peers from greater New England
- raffles & prizes for attendees
- grand prize drawing
MHEC MARKETING:
We will be promoting exhibitors who will be doing demos in their booth. To qualify for this free opportunity, send a paragraph (and photo if possible) to: Christina Betances-Orrell, Sr. Marketing Coordinator that includes:
- Product Name
- Contract it is being sold on
- 1 – 3 brief bullets on the value proposition of the product
- Description of the demo
- Who to contact if we have questions
- Your booth number
CHARITY PARTICIPATION
MHEC returns to Expo with Worcester Toys for Tots giving attendees and exhibitors alike an opportunity to share their good fortune with those less fortunate by bringing the joy of toys to children at Christmas time.
Join us in Worcester!